miser: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, and slightly dated. More common in written narratives than casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “miser” mean?
A person who hoards wealth and lives poorly to avoid spending money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who hoards wealth and lives poorly to avoid spending money.
A person who is extremely reluctant to spend money, not just on others but also on themselves, often to the point of self-deprivation. Can be extended metaphorically to someone who is stingy with non-material things like affection or praise.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally understood and used in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it evokes a classic literary or folktale character (e.g., Scrooge).
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English, likely due to its presence in classic 19th-century British literature, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “miser” in a Sentence
[Subject: Person] is a miser.He is a miser with [his money/time/praise].They lived like misers.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “miser” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No verb form in common use.
American English
- No verb form in common use.
adverb
British English
- He counted the coins miserly, one by one. (Rare, 'miserly' is almost always an adjective)
American English
- She doled out the sweets miserly. (Rare)
adjective
British English
- The miserly landlord refused to fix the broken boiler.
American English
- He had a miserly attitude toward sharing his research data.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. 'Frugal' or 'cost-conscious' are preferred for neutral/positive descriptions.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, economic history, or psychology to describe a character type or personality trait.
Everyday
Used as a strong insult or humorous exaggeration for someone being very stingy. 'My dad is such a miser with the heating!'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “miser”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “miser”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “miser”
- Using it as an adjective (incorrect: 'He is very miser.' Correct: 'He is very miserly' or 'He is a miser.').
- Confusing it with 'misery' in writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Miser' is a noun for a person, and implies an extreme, often pathological level of stinginess. 'Stingy' is an adjective describing the behavior, and is less extreme and more commonly used.
Almost never. It is a term of strong criticism. For positive connotations of careful spending, use 'frugal', 'thrifty', or 'economical'.
It is somewhat dated and literary, but still perfectly understood and used for emphasis or to evoke a classic archetype.
The word 'miser' is gender-neutral, though historically male examples are more common. 'Miseress' exists but is obsolete. A female miser would simply be called a miser.
A person who hoards wealth and lives poorly to avoid spending money.
Miser is usually formal, literary, and slightly dated. more common in written narratives than casual conversation. in register.
Miser: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪzə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪzɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Miser's heart (a heart that doesn't give).”
- “Miser's dream (a fantasy of finding endless wealth).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a miser MISERably counting his coins in a damp, dark room. The word sounds like 'miserable'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A PRECESSESSED OBJECT TO BE HOARDED. The miser is a DRAGON guarding its gold.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'miser'?